SPORTS COUGAR CATCH-UP: TENNIS SUCCESSFUL START 10 LIFEstYLE A LOOK AT THE WORLDWIDE MISSIONS THIS SUMMER 6 OPINION THE

I WENT TO AFRICA AND IT TOTALLY CHANGED MY PROFILE PICTURE TRAP 9

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student voice of azusa pacific university since 1965 WEDNESDAY, MaRCH 5, 2014 VOL. 50, No. 13 www.THeClaUse.oRG
THE WIRE
Be aware of some ingredients, like xanthan gum, that are found in common foods.
Cedric Roldan PHOTO

Jessica Melcher: Sophomore returns with updated swing 10

proFILE

APU Sports Information COURTESY

Counseling Center, SGA discuss gender identity

Second educational event leads to upcoming student summit on gender minorities
Kimberlee Buck
staff writer

Do you know what youre eating?

A look at potentially-harmful ingredients you may be consuming on a daily basis. 7

More than 50 students gathered in LAPC Monday night for a meeting on gender identity, hosted by the Counseling Center and Student Government Association. The educational session came one week after the first event on sexual orientation. Both events were organized to prepare students for an upcoming summit on sexual minorities. When we were conceptualizing

these seminars, talking with SGA, I felt like sexual orientation and gender identity get merged together but really are two distinct topics, said Bill Fiala, director of the University Counseling Center. I wanted to be able to blur those lines a little less. Fiala began the night answering anonymous questions about identity and sexual orientation, which were placed in a box by students during last weeks session. One student asked why administrators were not present in the last session. Fiala told the audience that he specifically asked them not to come. Our administration is doing their own session, Fiala said. I want us to be able to have a free conversation without faculty members making students feel like

GEnDEr 5

The sessions explore the importance of sensitivity to and awareness of sexual orientation and gender identity issues.

Kimberly Smith GRaPHIC

Hospitality to see changes

Upcoming point system plan will allow students to purchase items la carte.

Kimberly Smith PHOTO

Seniors prepare for Life After Graduation

Soon-to-be grads attend sessions on networking, financial success and post-grad transitions
Annie Z. Yu
editor-in-chief
Azusa Police Department CoURTesy

Hospitality Services will adopt earlier hours to accomodate new class schedules and implement a point system for dining plans. 5

@JonnyRoot_ | Jon: A burrito from Mexicali is like a celebrity relationship. They dont stay together very long... #IHeartAPU @MalCal_ | Malachi: Remember the story of Jesus preaching in the rain? Me neither. RT to cancel chapel on rainy days. #Iheartapu #butnotthatmuch @jeenagould | Jeena: To the people living in the mods, are you as terrified as me that our houses will collapse at any moment in this rain? #SURVIVE #IHeartAPU @bethanyclarice | Bethany: I always feel a bit like Indiana Jones when I make it through the University Village gate right before it closes. #iheartAPU
To see your tweets here, hashtag #apuclause, #apu or #iheartapu.

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weets

rAInstorms & muDsLIDEs: The strongest rainstorm since 2010 prompted

mandatory evacuations over the weekend for about 1,200 homes in Azusa and neighboring areas. Many homes were in areas affected by Colby Fire.

Ethics Bowl team competes nationally

The team headed to Florida for their first national tournament
Katie Richcreek
assistant news editor

Azusa Pacifics Ethics Bowl team headed to nationals for the first time this week and ended up placing 12th in the nation at the Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl National tournament in Jacksonville, Fla. APU was one of 32 universities to compete. According to associate philosophy professor and faculty adviser Rico Vitz, the five-member team

finished as the top-performing university from the California Region after placing second overall in the December regional competition and being the onlyCouncil of Christian Colleges & Universities school there. The team members received the cases for nationals in January, allowing only eight weeks of preparation, according to Vitz. Additionally, there were 15 cases as opposed to the twelve cases in the fall regional competitions. The funny thing about nationals is that we have less time to work with the cases but more cases to work with, said sophomore English and philosophy double major Alain Leon, who joined the team this academic year. Youre breathing, eating and sleeping cases.

Azusa Pacific won two of its three morning rounds Thursday but did not qualify to advance to the quarterfinals. The tiebreaker between the teams that went 2-1 in the morning sessions was determined by the total of each teams points received in the three rounds. The two victories came in rounds against Gonzaga University and University of Oklahoma. Against Oklahoma, the team argued cases on the naming of a park after Confederate Lt. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest and the ethics of mandatory quarantinefor patients after radio-iodine therapy. Senior political science and philosophy double major Austin Humphrey

Several dozen seniors attended a Life After Graduation event late Saturday morning to prepare for post-graduation life, with a light breakfast, three seminars, professional head shots and networking with alumni over a Chick-fil-A lunch. The event cost $10 per student and was coordinated by Kristi Hawkins, assistant director for the Office of Alumni & Parent Relations, with help from Career Services, the School of Business and Management and the Omega Program. There were 55 seniors on the RSVP list, according to Hawkins. Senior communication studies major Allessondra Goble said she decided to attend because she realized how real the real world is. One of the best things about this university is that they are so intentional about equipping students in every way possible, she said. The first Life After Graduation was hosted last fall, although

EthIcs boWL 3

post-GrAD LIFE 5

WEdnESdaY, MARcH 5, 2014

Clause

theclause.org/nEWs
compiled by katie richcreek

campus safety report

The following are selected incidents as reported from the Daily Media Log from Feb. 23 through Mar. 1, courtesy of Campus Safety.

CALENDAR
Wednesday, March 5

Lunch concert Night market

Live music on Cougar Walk will begin at 12 p.m.

Wednesday, March 5
The International Center will host a night market on Cougar Walk directly following Kaleo Chapel where students can taste foods from different regions of the world in honor of International Student Awareness Month.

MONDAY, FEB. 24 HOLLYVALE AVE Reporting person reported a part from her vehicle was stolen. WEDNESDAY, FEB. 26 PARKING LOT I RP advised her car was broken into. Officers responded and took an incident report. WEDNESDAY, FEB. 26 ALOSTA PLACE RP called to advise items were stolen from her garage. THURSDAY, FEB. 27 PARKING LOT F RP reported his secured bicycle was stolen. Only the front tire and the u-lock were left. An officer responded and took a report. THURSDAY, FEB. 27 ALOSTA PLACE RP reported her locked garage had been broken into and her property taken. THURSDAY, FEB. 27 PARKING LOT K A subject was detained by Azusa Police in Lot K. Officers assisted by setting up a perimeter around the scene to prevent students from walking through. No students entered the area and the subject was released. Weekly Numbers Keys lost/found......................4 ID cards lost/found...............10 Cell phones found..................2 Wallets lost/found.... .............3 Unsecured bikes found.........5 False fire alarms.....................2

Friday, March 7

Grandparents Day

Grandparents are invited to spend the day on campus with their student. Cost is $25 per person and includes breakfast, a banquet lunch and program and on-campus transportation. Parents are also welcome. For more information contact the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations at (626) 812-3026.

Friday, March 7

Senior business management major Evelyn Kenney checks students in at the Internship Forum hosted by Scholars for Business Achievement on Wednesday, Feb. 26.

Katie Richcreek PHOTO

Leadership Awareness

Wednesday, March 5 Friday, March 23

The Office of Human Resources will host the first session of the three-part Discovering Your Leadership Identity series from 1 to 4 p.m. in Duke. The series is open to all APU employees. For more information, contact the office at (626) 815-4526.

Human vs. Zombies registration

Monday, March 10 Friday, March 14

Humans vs. Zombies registration is open online at www.apuhvz.com. The fee is $1 until March 7 and will increase to $3 on March 8. Deadline is March 23. Games will begin March 24.

Spring break

Enjoy the week off! Classes resume Monday, Mar. 17. Last day to withdraw from classes is Mar. 21. Fall registration will begin Mar. 24 through Apr. 4.

Heart to Heart hosts Painting as Prayer

Womens mentorship organization puts paint to canvas as a spiritual practice
Gina Ender
staff writer

REmEmBER 1. If you see something, say something. 2. Safety is everyones business. 3. Dial 911 for life threatening emergencies. 4. Non emergencies: Campus Safety (626) 815-3898. 5. Lock all doors and windows to your dorm, apartment and vehicle. 6. Keep all valuables secured and out of plain view. 7. At night, keep to well-lit areas. 8. Always be aware of your surroundings. 9. Utilize the trolleys, safety escorts or walk in groups. 10. Avoid places where you are vulnerable and there are no exits. 11. Avoid texting or talking on the phone while walking as you may be distracted. 12. Avoid walking and jogging alone. 13. Secure your bike with a recommended Krytonite U-Lock.

The Office of Discipleship Ministries womens mentorship organization Heart to Heart hosted a Painting as Prayer event Sunday to help connect women to God through art. The 12 participants were given donuts, handouts regarding Lent and Holy Ground and art supplies as inspiration as they spread out among the Mentorship Office and the Rose Garden to paint. Painting is just expression; its just a different way to journal or sing a song, said Spiritual Mentoring Coordinator Jeanine Smith. This was the fourth time Smith organized an APU event that incorporated painting as a medium of spiritual formation. I try to give mentors and students different opportunities to get together that are sort of outside of the normal sit and chat, Smith said. This out-of-the-ordinary means

of expression brought the participants a creative outlet to share their hearts with one another about current life struggles and other situations. I realized that Im focusing on discipline for the year. I either feel like Im overly disciplined and glorifying busyness or lazy. Im trying to find that balance, said junior liberal studies major Lauren Sutton. Suttons pastel watercolor painting reflected this, as she shared with the group that the blues and greens of the piece represented peace and the pinks and yellows reflected discipline all blending together, while the gold streaks that spread throughout symbolized Gods divine nature in both aspects of her life. Sutton said she plans to continue in quiet time to reflect what [God] is showing [her] in finding time to process, since college students are so busy and never take time for themselves. A common theme among the women present was the desire to set aside time to reflect on God through art. Reflection makes you stop [to] pause on everything calling at you and just think about your relationship with God, said mentor Yolana Young. Young came with her two undergraduate mentees to interact in a new way with them and with God. Though she has drawn and written

Attendees gather in the Rose Garden for a time of painting. poetry as an outlet of prayer before, Young explained that she had never before painted to share her spiritual experiences. This opportunity to paint brought back memories of another time Young felt God working in her life, and she incorporated this revelation into her art. Years ago, I was driving to San

Kimberly Smith PHOTO

Diego for a conference for work, and I feel like the Holy Spirit told me, Look over there, Young said. There was this mountain of beautiful flowers and I felt like He said, Those are for you. Youngs painting shared this experience, as she incorporated what God gave [her] in beauty through mountains and flowers.

Clause
NEWS STAFF editor-in-chief annie z. yu news editor megan sanders lifestyle editor hunter foote opinion editor scott jacob sports editor steven mercado design/photo editor kimberly smith asst. news editor katie richcreek copy editors alec bleher, kayla johnston business manager erin lee staff writers kaity bergquist, aubrey berry, marissa black, kimberlee buck, josh contreras, gina ender, tory freeth, camille garcia, jessie gomez, erica knudsen, paige lange, emily leyva, ashlee polarek, arianna ruvalcaba, taylor schablaske, kelyn struiksma, j. yvette toastado staff photographers holly hussmann,

mailing address p.o. box 9521-5165, azusa, ca 91702 phone 626-815-6000, ext. 3514 fax 626-815-2045 website www.theclause.org email editorinchief@theclause.org
cedric roldan, grant walter staff illustrator eva wilhite FACULTY ADVISER kyle huckins The Clause is a student newspaper dedicated to providing a realistic, journalistic educational experience for students of Azusa Pacific University; to seeking truth and reporting it boldly, fairly and accurately; to enhancing the university community by providing a student voice imbued with truth, responsibility and accountability. The newspaper is published weekly, except during examinations and vacation periods, by the students of the Department of Communication Studies at Azusa Pacific University. The newsroom is located on Cougar Walk in between the cafeteria and Cougars Den. The views expressed in all letters to the editor and all signed opinion articles are those of their authors, not the staff or university. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Please include a phone number for verification of all letters to the editor. Anonymous and unverified letters to the editor will not be printed. The Clause reserves the right to edit the letters for length and journalistic style. The opinions expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily reflect the views of the faculty, staff or administration of Azusa Pacific University. FIND US ON FACEBOOK & TWITTER facebook.com/apuclause & @apuclause

theClause.org/nEWs

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WEdnESdaY, MARcH 5, 2014

International Center hosts FUSION cooking challenge

IC kicks off International Student Awareness Month with Friday challenge
Ashlee Polareck
staff writer

Colanders hung from the ceiling and food from all around the world was showcased at the FUSION Global Cooking Challenge hosted by the International Center Friday, Feb. 28 in Adams lounge, kicking off International Student Awareness Month, which will continue throughout March. Eight teams were broken into two categories, international and fusion, and prepared dishes for guests to taste and vote on, according to International Center intern Autumn Dickens, a senior English major. The dishes served included desserts, salads and entrees from Africa, Belarus, Mexico, China and more. It was fun to see international and American students come together, Dickens said. Cooking is a powerful thing, especially when it comes to uniting people. The Mosaic Mamacitas team, which included senior psychology major Roxanne Ramirez and leadership graduate student Tania Zakharchenko, made Olivier salad, a Belarus side dish which blends chicken, peas, eggs and other various ingredients. Its not about winning. Its about getting to know different cultures, Ramirez said. The Mamacitas team motto, as displayed on its table, read, In-

ternationalism; rather than [being] looked at as a melting pot that is blended, we view it as multicultural mosaic with various ingredients that keep their individual characteristics while interconnecting. The Taste of TESOL team was composed of students in the Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages program. The team presented three dishes: Guess What, Picasso and Chicken Sandwiches. Guess What was a mystery dish, served in an effort to explain a game they use to teach English to international students. I like the competition because it connects people from different cultures, especially though food, and it teaches them teamwork, said Taste of TESOL team member Josh Xie, a TESOL graduate student. After the judges collected the final results, the favorites of each category were announced. The international crowd favorite was team Asian Invasion and the fusion crowd favorite was the Fusionistas. Team Hamburgulars received an honorable mention. The judges choice, however, was Yellowstone. The team had served a triple-layer cake, blending both American and international foods to design a Chinese flag. Yellowstone won first prize, which was a basket full of cooking supplies and a $25 gift card to Applebees. Other prizes included smaller baskets of cooking-related goodies. ISAM aims to tell the stories of foreign students at Azusa Pacific. The next ISAM event will be a night market on Wednesday, March 5 on Cougar Walk after Kaleo chapel, where students can sample food from around the world. ISAM will host another event March 7 that will focus on awareness for international women.

Azusa Pacifics Ethics Bowl team competes in the third round of the Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl National tournament against the University of Oklahoma on Feb. 27 in Jacksonville, Fla.

Rico Vitz COURTESY

APU competes in Ethics Bowl Nationals

ETHICS BOWL, from PG. 1
potential limit of off-label antipsychotic drug usage. Vitz said he believed APU presented the better case in the round against Providence College, which finished the competition in the top eight. We have three goals. One of them is performance, which we cant control the outcome of, Vitz said. The higher goal, then, is to manifest intellectual virtue. The adviser described the teams third and most important goal: to manifest Christ-like virtue. If they achieve their performance goal but not Christ-like virtue, then its a fail, Vitz said. I was really proud of them for doing both of those things. The team was formed fall 2011, when Vitz arrived at APU. This year the squad will graduate Humphrey and senior philosophy major Ysabel Johnston. Johnston was on the team in fall 2012 but could not join it last fall due to scheduling conflicts. However, when senior Stefano Richichi from

led the debate on the Confederate general case, and said he had more of a personal stake in it due to his French-Creole heritage. I thought I didnt present the case well enough. I thought I let my emotions get to me at one point, Humphrey said. While the judges were deliberating, I was really nervous ... [but] we won, so I was pretty stoked. When we left the room, we were two wins and one loss. ... I thought that record could get us into the top eight, the quarterfinals, but we were tied [and] lost with the point differential for the last spot. Oklahoma also went 2-1 in the morning rounds before advancing to the quarterfinals on the tiebreaker and finishing second overall. The APU teams one loss came against Providence College in what Vitz described as a close round. The cases argued then dealt with the reward and penalization of employers who offer wellness programs as part of the Affordable Care Act and the

last semester could no longer make nationals, Johnston was asked to come back on the team. I was very excited. ... I loved being on the team the year before, Johnston said. It worked out really well. Johnston said that although five members are not required, it is extremely helpful to be able to break up 15 cases among more people. And as the only female member, she said it was also helpful and a little more sensitive to have a female on the team to speak about specific cases that pertained to abortion and womens rights issues. Leon said if the team has the same intelligence next year, he knows members will return to nationals and hopefully make it to finals. Vitz expressed hopes to continue to attract students with character of heart and intellectual character. In a world where many people think Christians are intellectual and moral lightweights, having students like this gives them a chance to break those stereotypes, Vitz said.

#claustagram

Azusa Pacific participates in third annual 8th Grade Majors Fair

portunity to provide the young students the best possible representations of all academic colleges and levels: Citrus is a community college, Cal Poly a California State University, and Azusa Pacific a private institution. We have physics from APU and physics from Citrus. We do this to give [the students] the best possible understanding of the resources Emily Leyva that are available to them, Hutchinson said. staff writer The fair featured middle school-friendly activities to engage the students. At the Cal Poly Azusa Pacific University, Citrus College physics booth, a teacher and his students attemptand California State Polytechnic University ed to throw a paper airplane into a wicker basket. Pomona hosted their third annual 8th Grade Center Middle School Assistant Principal Majors Fair Thursday for 750 middle-school Robert Velasco recalled the fairs inaugural year students from local school districts, including and how the program has grown in size. St. Frances of Rome Three years ago, School. [APU] did a pilot at The eighth-gradour school. We were ers learned about the sort of the guinea pigs, 25 featured majors Velasco said. Since through informative then, theyve blown it booths sponsored and up and made it a grand hosted by professors exposition of all these and college students majors coming out and from the three colexposing our students leges and universities. Judy Hutchinson, Center for Academic to what they can possiThe event was hosted Serivce-Learning and Research exec. director bly get into in college. at Memorial Park According to VelasNorth Recreation Center in Azusa. co, the fair has exposed students to majors that Its the first one, as far as we can tell, in may lend themselves to the recently enacted the nation, said Center for Academic Service- common core standards that the federal govLearning and Research Executive Director Judy ernment says aim to encourage and challenge Hutchinson. Some colleges have Career Day, students to become critical thinkers. Previously, but its not the same as having kids think about educators were utilizing the California State in eighth grade what they want to major in col- Standards. lege, [and] therefore, what they should take in With the exposure, hopefully they see that high school. there are opportunities and hopefully one day, Hutchinson stated that the three schools they get accepted into a two-year or four-year participation in the event was a strategic op- college and take on their dreams, Velasco said.

APU teams up with other local colleges to educate middle-school students on majors offered

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We do this to give [the students] the best possible understanding of the resources that are available to them.

AZUSA STORM 2014

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WEDNESDAY, MARcH 5, 2014

Seniors explore what life is going to be like After Graduation

POST-GRaD LIFE, from PG. 1
it was much smaller and included an etiquette lunch. The fall event cost $15 per student and listed 17 names on the online attendee list. We find that seniors really arent thinking about this stuff until theyre closer to graduation, Hawkins said. And so for May graduates, second semester works better. Hawkins said she hopes Life After Graduation will become a yearly spring event for graduating seniors. The event kicked off at 10 a.m. with a continental breakfast before students split up into three groups to rotate among three different sessions on networking, financial success and post-graduation transitions. Julia Russell Toothacre, marketing and outreach coordinator for Career Services, led the networking session and told attendees that the best opportunity to find job positions is via networking. I see a need on our campus for students to understand that their career journey starts earlier than their senior year, said Toothacre, who also works as a career counselor for Career Services. The session hosted three alumni who, after describing their career backgrounds, gave advice and tips primarily on interviewing skills. Whitney Johnson, 2008 alum and recruiter at AEG, stressed the imporing for retirement. Procrastination is the No. 1 enemy to financial success and meeting your goals, Tyrrell told the audience. They also covered other topics like how to make a budget and the importance of diversification in investing. The two gave further sound advice in the Q-and-A on saving (have six months worth of your salary in an emergency savings account), credit (make sure to pay it off every month) and different retirement options (a student may want to consider a Roth Individual Retirement Account while they are still young). Price, who graduated in 2010 with a doubledegree in marketing and business management, said they attended the first Life After Graduation last fall but this time around it was betterstructured and had more support from the university as a whole. Tyrrell, who graduated May 2013, said they were there to impart to students the importance and basics of financial literacy. He described a married couple in their late 40s who came to him for financial advice; the husband made a six-figure salary, his wife around half that. But because they had not set aside much money for retirement, Tyrrell informed the husband that he either had to work until 70 to retire or significantly reduce his spending.

Senior business marketing major Andrew Costello, right, chats with 1994 alum Alex Aquino, founder of Barnabas, over a Chick-fil-A lunch. tance of researching and said her first question in conducting interviews is, What do you know about my company? She also warned against having no questions to ask at the end of an interview. If you have no questions, that says, Well, are you really interested? she told the audience. Ashley Caldwell-Morris, 2009 alum and human resources business partner at Target, advised students to get involved with Career Services for interview preparation, and 1994 alum Alex Aquino, co-founder of clothing company Barnabas, suggested students make sure to practice being personal in interviews. We really want to know youre human, he told the audience. Toothacre said she hopes students realizeCareer Services is available to alumni free of charge for their entire lives. When they graduate, they dont have to feel like theyre alone, or that APU isnt here to support them, because we are here, she said. Alums Andrew Price and Justin A. Tyrrell, both financial executives at Trilogy, led the session that focused on financial management. They discussed roadblocks to financial success, which included a failure to account for inflation in financial planning and procrastination on sav-

Annie Z. Yu PHOTO

For the full article, visit www.theclause.org/news

Students attend gender identity meeting

GENDER from PG. 1
they cannot express themselves. Fialabegan his PowerPoint presentation explaining the importance of a gender identity discussion at Azusa Pacific. He also talked about what it means to be transgender living both in the school community and outside the APU bubble. He then used Scripture as a transition into the topic of identity and the Bible. According to the UCC leader, the Bible does not reference the word transgender. Instead, it mentions homosexuality. For example, he mentioned Genesis 1-3, Deuteronomy 22:5 and Galatians 3:27-28. Later, he discussed the traditional binary model and alternative model of gender identity. He said the binary model divides gender into two distinct, vertical lines: Males are masculine men attracted to women, while females are feminine women attracted to men. The alternative model, he explained, is like a horizontal line that ranges from male to female. Sex and gender can fall anywhere in this range. In the middle of his presentation he had students take a quiz, similar to last session. This time the vocabulary dealt with transgender, not LGBTQIA, terminology such as crossdresser, drag queens and intersex. One student with prior knowledge of transgender terms said he still found the quiz helpful. It was nice to get refreshed on the terminology and to see the APU community coming together to learn about people that are different, said senior sociology major Ryan McCune. Fiala also informed the students on the statistics regarding transgender identity and issues in the world. According to The National Gay and Lesbian task force and National Center for Transgender equality: 90 percent of transgender peo ple reported experiencing harass ment on the job 19 percent reported being home less due to their identity 41 percent reported attempted suicide 57 percent werent able to maintain family bonds Sophomore biblical studies major Susan Van Bemden said she found several of the numbers surprising. My favorite part of the event is when Fiala went over the statistics on the number of transgender people that reported being homeless, she said. Fiala ended the session with tips for students regarding transgender identity. He advised students to ask respectful questions, choose language carefully and honor ones choice of name/gender/pronoun. I want students to take away basic knowledge. My hope is that as a community, APU can have a base of knowledge we can all operate from, Fiala said. If we have common ground, we can have discussion and dialogue, but if we dont have it, we are coming from different directions. The student summit will take place Wednesday, March 19 at 5 p.m. in the Cougar Dome.

flickr.com PHOTO

Transgender Azusa High student joins girls varsity softball team

After playing baseball as boy, she will now be on varsity female softball team
Josh Contreras
staff writer

Pat Cordova-Goff, 17, is the first transgender student to join Azusa High Schools Aztecs girls varsity softball team. After two weeks of practice, then four days of tryouts, the cheer squad member and ASB presidents name appeared on the list of finalized softball team members. According to Azusa Unified School Districts superintendent, Linda Kaminski, the district believes all students should have an equal opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities because it is healthy for them to do so. Cordova-Goff, who has played baseball since she was 4, told the Clause she feels comfortable and confident with the transition to softball. I hope that the season goes as any other season does, but I have a high doubt that it will go easy, Cordova-Goff said. Not many people agree with me playing and they are

vocal about it. Im not sure if these people are going to be present at our games or not letting us just play the sport as we should. Cordova-Goff said she was born male but started expressing [herself] more femininely during her sophomore year. At least one expert said CordovaGoffs physique will not present an unfair advantage to opponents. However, the student said although some people have been accepting of her placement on the softball team, several of her classmates have expressed disapproval. Cordova-Goff said these criticisms have been more emotionally draining than she had thought they would be, but to keep going she feels she only has to remember why she wants to be on the team. Its just a matter of remembering that I am doing this for the right reasons,Cordova-Goffsaid. I dont have the bad intentions that other people think that I do. Its a matter of reassuring myself over and over again that its OK to do this. The San Gabriel Valley Tribune reports that other local coaches who will compete against the Aztecs are not too concerned with her making the team because they are confident in the abilities of their own players. Kaminski saidteachers, coaches and other faculty were not allowed to speak to the Clause.

Fall changes for Hospitality Services

Marissa Black
staff writer

Hospitality Services will modify eatery hours this fall to accommodate new course times, with classes that begin as early as 7 a.m. Breakfast will start at 6 a.m. Thats so we provide enough time for students to come and eat before they go to the first class, Hospitality Services Executive Director Samuel Samaansaid. Samaan also said on-campus eateries will continue to honor the no-meal-zones policy, which was instituted in fall 2013.

However, new hours arent the only change in store for Hospitality Services. Were changing the meal plan to be [a] dining plan, which means we dont have any meals anymore, Samaan said. So its going to be la carte, so the students can order [whatever] they want at any time theres no restriction. According to Samaan, the new dining plan will be a point system, similar to dining dollars. Students who purchase a dining plan will receive a certain number of points to spend on the food of their choice. Samaan says this aims to satisfy students who claim they are wast-

ing money on meals that give them more food than is necessary. You want the burger only and the fries? Thats fine. You want the burger and the drink? Thats fine, Samaan said. So you pay for whatever you want and we wont have to charge you for the whole meal. According to Samaan, the 1899 Dining Hall will also receive a makeover in which food will be set up in one line to provide more space for seating, including new outdoor areas. Additionally, Samaan said there will be more vegetarian and glutenfree options next yearwith the new setup.

Lifestyle
Outreach will send more than 300 students to Mexicali in one week while CSA action teams look to minister worldwide this summer
Kelyn Struiksma
staff writer

CSA and Mexico Outreach break Azusa borders

TEAM KIPkAREN

Team spotlights

The Center for Student Action is breaking through borders by sending 29 different action teams to partner with various organizations throughout the world this summer. According to CSAs site, these short-term mission trips include, but are not limited to, visits to health care clinics and orphanages, as well as working in the fields of educational development, anti-human and sex trafficking and different prayer ministries. Approximately 200 students will have the opportunity to minister in 28 different countries. Two teams will stay in the U.S. while the other teams will travel to various locations in Africa, Asia and Europe. Elsey, is working to reestablish the structure of Action team applications closed Feb. 7, the office this summer. Elsey wanted to thank but students are still welcome to get involved. the students for still being a part of programs Students who feel called or have recently had and being patient with us as we figure it out, summer plans fall through are encouraged to she said. partner with CSA and other organizations this Elsey and Rouggly are looking to better summer, according to Director of Mobilization connect CSA with the student body by seeJenny Elsey. ing what has and has not worked over the Every team CSA sends out is responsible years. for providing its own finances. The office has We understand and dont want our action set benchmark deadlines to help students stay teams to act within a vacuum, Rouggly said. on financial track. Overall, the finances have We want to incorporate it all together, so it not seemed to be much of an issue, and the truly is all one in the same, coming from one CSA office is always center. open to accommoCSA does not date any problems limit itself to just that may arise, said action teams but is Elsey. In the future, also affiliated with Elsey hopes to have a Mexico Outreach. scholarship program The outreachs main for students. avenues are weekThe CSA office end brigades and is looking to partner two weeklong trips with Communiversithroughout the year ty for the Last Bash, to the city of Mexia party on Friday, cali. April 25 to take a Sophomore libbreak from studying eral studies major before finals, to help Jordan Rice works in raise funds for action the Mexico Outreach Karen Rouggly, associate director of teams. office as the student Elsey said stu- mobilization ministry coordinator dents who go on for Mexican relathese trips have transformational experiences, tions. Rice partners with Mexican officials in which is a view others in her office share. Mexicali and arranges community service opCommunity doesnt have to be just portunities. your next door neighbor, Associate DiBrigades are quick weekend trips that usurector of Mobilization Karen Rouggly said. ally send six different teams: public health, The fact that we are opening [students] mental health, special needs, community sereyes to the global community is really pow- vice and two child ministry teams. The main erful. point is to allow students another opportunity CSA staff tries to be intentional as it pre- to give relief for residents living in Mexicali, pares students through retreats, including one said Rice. recently from Feb. 14-16, and training proMexico Outreach recently took 42 students grams before each team departs. on the final brigade of the year from Feb. 21-22. The CSA office has gone through many difThis year, the office was unable to partner ferent changes over the years and, according to with a special needs site, and instead went to

Arielle Olson

Kelyn Struiksma PHOTO

CSA spans the globe. This map includes most of the sites students will reach summer 2014.
Kimberly Smith GRAPHIC

Community doesnt have to be just your next door neighbor ... The fact that we are opening [students] eyes to the global community is really powerful.

a new shelter for pregnant teens called VIFAC (which translates as the Life and Family Association), according to senior applied exercise science major Katie Schlotzhauer, the student ministry coordinator for strategic alignment and development. She is also a ministry brigade coordinator. It was so great to reconnect with the women there and bring them the supplies they needed, Schlotzhauer said. You could tell they really appreciated just spending time with us and we also enjoyed it a lot. Mexico Outreach is currently working on finalizing details of the spring break trip that will take place March 8-13. During the weeklong trip, about 350 students will make up 30 teams that will work in different avenues for Mexicalians. Students with valid passports have until March 5 to sign up for the trip, according to Rice. Similar to action teams, Mexico teams are required to raise their own money. Cost ranges from $270-$375. Rice is also a leader of a community service team called Stephen, which consists of seven other leaders who coordinate student teams for the spring break trip to work two-hour community service shifts. God put me in a position where I had to really challenge myself and listen to what He wanted instead of what I wanted, Rice said. I fell in love with the country of Mexico and the city of Mexicali. It was the last place I ever thought I would end up. Students need to be flexible when they sign up for Mexico programs because they may not know what they will be doing until they arrive, Rice said. Rice explained that because of its repeat trips throughout the year, Mexico Outreach is unique and allows students to say see you next month, rather than next year. It really touches you in a way where you have to act, its contagious and you have to go back and do it again, Rice said.

After a long process of deliberation, freshman psychology major Arielle Olson decided to finally apply to join a CSA action team and was placed on team Kipkaren with six other female students. I am excited to see how God is at work there, Olson said. Every trip I have gone on in the past, God has made himself very evident to me. He has ... helped me see that He is not only at work in my life but He is at work in other peoples lives, no matter how far away they are. The team will work in a childrens home and Christian school from May 14-27 in Kipkaren, Kenya. Members will help lead devotions, organize games, assist parents, cook, clean and work in the the community training center, according to the CSA trip description. [The Kenyans at the center] love God and who Jesus is and I have learned the purpose of me going is to encourage them in this time, Olson said. For Olson, the CSA retreat was an opportunity to bond with her team and served as a training tool to prepare her heart for what is to come. Missions do not stop when your mission trip is done, Olson said. It becomes a lifestyle. TEAM SOUtH AFRICA

Vanessa Jensen

Kelyn Struiksma PHOTO

Sophomore liberal studies major Vanessa Jensen was a member of the Young Life team that traveled to Peru for a sixweek mission trip last summer through APU. After being pulled out of her comfort zone and learning more about the character of God, she wanted to go on another trip and learn more about what it means to serve, Jensen said. Jensen will lead the South Africa: Out of Africa team from May 7-June 18. After her experience in Peru, Jensen felt called to a bigger role and sees herself as a leader during this time of preparation, not only while her group is abroad. Its a huge responsibility, and a lot goes into being a leader, Jensen said. I consider it a time to be able to mentor and build relationships. Those going on Jensens team will work as a community development team. CSA describes its ministry as reaching out to the community by helping support various programs in George, South Africa. According to Jensen, raising money is never the easy part of going on mission trips, but it is crucial to trust Gods provision. Jensen is looking forward to experiencing more of God while walking alongside her team, even though she does not have all the answers. Sometimes I feel like there is not a way you can prepare for these trips because you really dont know what to expect, but that is the beauty, Jensen said.

THECLAUSE.ORg/LIFESTYLE

Clause

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014

Acting out: Kuipers journey to Florida

Senior BFA acting major is headed to prestigious grad school with full-ride scholarship
Tory Freeth
staff writer

While most Azusa Pacific students were still sleeping at 7 a.m., Feb. 17, senior BFA acting major Scott Kuiper was wide awake. Then again, this was no ordinary Monday morning for Kuiper; Florida State University called him at the early hour to offer him one of 12 spots as a Masters of Fine Arts student at Asolo Conservatory. To only 12 students a year, the three-year program offers a full tuition waiver and stipend, New York showcase, six-week London program, year of working in the Asolo Reportory Theater, and upon graduation, eligibility to join the Actors Equity. Born and raised in Tempe, Ariz., Kuiper began as a commercial music major. According to Kuiper, he was driving home the summer before his sophomore year when he heard a voice tell him, Youre supposed to be an actor. After notifying his parents, he listened to the voice and changed his major. Although he has performed in five mainstage theater productions throughout his college career, Kuiper credits the classroom for much of his growth. Upon entering the theater program, he was simply ready to work hard and learn as much as possible, he explained. I dont believe anyone would even recognize the kid that came into the department back in 2011, Kuiper said. My journey as a theater major completely changed my life, and I mean that in the most non-clich way. Assistant professor Jill Brennan-Lincoln, head of the BFA in acting for the stage and screen, teaches acting for the camera where she works with students on auditioning for professional theater, film and television. In addition, Brennan-Lincoln directs the students in an Industry Showcase performed for casting directors, agents and managers in Los Angeles in the spring. In her audition class, Brennan-Lincoln teaches the importance of options for an actor. During the fall semester, she prepared the students primarily for graduate school auditions, guiding them through the research and audition preparation. Every Wednesday, she met with each of the students,

Niequist shares wisdom, wit

Last week marked the Christian authors third visit to Azusa Pacific as she spoke at her third and fourth morning chapel appearances Wednesday and Friday. For more information about Niequists visit to APU, including her Q-and-A with more than 80 students, visit www.theclause.org/lifestyle.

Shauna Niequist answers questions about her life and work.

Hunter Foote PHOTO

Scott Kuiper plays the Man in APU Theatres latest production Seven Stories. including Kuiper, outside class time. Brennan-Lincoln commended Kuiper for his work ethic as well as his perseverance. The day before the seniors left for graduate school auditions, he requested an extra rehearsal with her in order to continue improving his monologues, she said. Brennan-Lincoln will spend this semester helping her seniors prepare scenes for Hollywood Showcase at the end of the semester, which agents and casting directors will attend. Graduate school, according to Brennan-Lincoln, offers more training and may specifically interest actors more passionate about live theater than film. The seniors really stepped up, all of them, to the plate, Brennan-Lincoln said. This is a really good class, and they were very committed as a group and an ensemble. Feb. 8, Kuiper and the rest of his senior BFA acting cohort auditioned for approximately 30 graduate schools through the University/Resident Theatre Association. The association is specifically designed to assist students with their transition to the profession, according to the website. APU students auditioned in San Francisco, one of just three locations of URTA auditions in the United States. Kuiper, along with the other APU students, had a mere two minutes to introduce himself and perform two

Austin O Brien Photography COURTESY

contrasting monologues for more than 40 representatives at the URTA auditions. Called back to six different schools, Kuiper spent the rest of the day meeting with the representatives individually. Scott is talented and has an intense work ethic, Brennan-Lincoln said. I saw those monologues through the semester grow. They became what they became at the end because he just kept working them. Prior to auditioning, FSU Asolo Conservatory was Kuipers first choice of graduate schools. He said that after receiving the phone call, he could hardly believe the good news and waited four days before officially accepting the offer. Working with Scott for the past three years has been really inspiring, senior BFA acting major Alison Campbell said. He is one of the most passionate and dedicated people I have ever met, and it shows up in his work. It is really admirable, and I know that he has amazing things ahead of him. Campbell and Kuiper shared the stage during their junior year, acting as Beatrice and Benedick in Shakespeares Much Ado About Nothing. Campbell said they have become best friends.

What are you eating?

An look at common ingredients and how they can harm your health
Emily Leyva
staff writer

For the full article, visit theclause.org/lifestyle

In early February, Subway announced that it would remove azodicarbonamide from its bread production. A variation of the ingredient has been used in commercial plastics such as foamed plastics and yoga mats. Food blogger Vani Hari, author of the famous Food Babe blog, wrote about Subways ingredients in 2012 and launched a successful petition to remove the ingredient. I think it is great that Subway is removing this product from their breads, and hopefully this will prompt other companies to do the same, sophomore theater arts major Michaela Summers said. The sandwich conglomerate has followed the example of

several other companies. In 2010, McDonalds infuriated Americans with its pink slime scandal after British television chef Jamie Oliver exposed its common ingredients on his show Food Revolution. Processed meat products were shown to be soaked in ammonium hydroxide, a colorless liquid chemical solution that forms when ammonia dissolves in water, which turned the meat into a pink slime. Since then, after much public outcry, McDonalds in the U.S. halted its use of the substance. Public exposure of bizarre food ingredients have led to an increased curiously and awareness about other artificial substances that people are consuming. Some of the most unusual ingredients are found in prepackaged foods on grocery store shelves and even on Azusa Pacifics campus. Find out some of the common ingredients found in prepackaged foods and how they can affect your health.

For the full article with information on dyes, sugar and more, visit theclause.org/lifestyle

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Opinion
The church often fails those with mental illnesses, but the solution is within our grasp
Alec Bleher
copy editor

Mental illness: the Christian perspective

RAW VISIONS OF A ZEALOT

"'What, you broke your leg? Well, you just need to pray more and keep a positive attitude. How about you spend some time in the Word?' This is what it would be like if we, as a majority of Christians, treated physical injuries the way we treat mental illness." Senior vocal performance major Nathan Robe posted this on his Facebook profile. He has clinical depression. Robe is not alone. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than a quarter of American adults suffer from some kind of diagKimberly Smith PHOTO nosable mental illness. These include depression, Some Christians believe fervent prayer and Scripture are the sole cures for mental illnesses. bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia, just to name a few. thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others, ceived. Those with mental illnesses are made to feel These diseases are a serious problem that require and daily functioning. ... Mental illnesses are medical less of themselves and then do what is only natural: an appropriate response. By and large, however, conditions that often result in a diminished capacity They close themselves off and suffer in quiet darkness. the Christian community is failing in that re- for coping with the ordinary demands of life." Mental illnesses are just that: illnesses. And like Don't be discouraged or think this is a scathing sponse. We fail in a number of ways. As Christians we other illnesses, they have specific symptoms, causes review of yet another failing of the modern church. live under the belief that God is alive and active in and methods of treatment. We hear stories of people I point out what is wrong because I firmly believe it the world around us. We forget that as individuals, who have been miraculously cured of diseases, but is within our power to fix. there are millions more who only found wellness "Sometimes, one of the biggest things you can our actions are often how God chooses to act. after a long road of recovery. do for someone who has depression, anxiety, that "There are times where This is true of so many de- litany of other disorders, is just be present, just be I have had more help in pressed, bipolar and anorexic around," Robe said. "I can remember a lot of times most situations from my individuals as well. where it really was just, I didn't so much want a sonon-Christian or even athePrayer and Scripture can lution, as I just wanted someone around." ist friends rather than my be powerful tools of encourWe want so badly to fix things, to make things Christian friends because agement on the path to re- right, we forget that it's ultimately in God's hands. they understand that, a lot covery as they can be in any Perhaps we will be that life-changing influence, but of the times, the help you're struggle, but in the area of we need to be there first. A listening ear can be a lot supposed receive is from mental disorders, Christians more powerful than a problem-solving mouth. another person, that that is have the tendency to presMental illnesses are incredibly complex and the vessel that goes to help ent them as the cure itself. difficult. No two cases, even of the same medical somebody," Robe said. This is done with the best of classification, are the same. The path to recovery This is a wake-up call. intentions, but intentions do can be quite long and usually is. We are called to love each not change how the advice is If you want to make a difference in the life other and reach out to those received and the damage that of someone in your community who struggles who need us and yet nonis done. with a mental disorder, invest in the person like Christians sometimes seem "One of the things you would any friend, and keep investing, espeto get what we overlook: that bothered me was be- cially when things get rough. Even if it seems No good thought, intention Nathan Robe, senior vocal ing told I just needed to like nothing is getting better, the unseen influor Scripture can replace ac- performance major pray more or that I needed ence you may be having can be incredible. tion. to spend more time in the Believe me, I've seen it happen (and conMisunderstanding is the next big hurdle that stands between people, especially Christians, and Word," Robe said. "... It was their way of say- tinue to happen) personally in the lives of mulbeing able to reach out to their peers struggling with ing, 'Well, you're doing this wrong and this is tiple people, including that of my close friend, mental illnesses. We act as though they simply have happening to you for a reason. It's because you Nathan Robe. a negative mindset or perhaps negative experiences don't do these things.' When you start [trying to Alec Bleher is a senior English that can be fixed with a positive outlook or enough be more 'Christian-like'] and things continue to major from San Marcos, Calif. In his go the way they have been, you begin to wonpositive experiences to counterbalance them. This is writing he seeks to pursue the truth der, 'Am I not doing it right?'" simply not true. founded on Gods kingdom, a task Whether or not Christians intend to communiThe National Alliance on Mental Illness defines that never ends. cate these messages, this is how they are often reit as "a mental condition that disrupts a person's

Striking a structual balance

Structure. Its not the sexiest word or concept especially for those of us who have been raised in homes, schools and churches that have encouraged (or forced) assimilation and compliance but we as human beings need it. From the wide-open idealism of Marxist theory to the unfettered free market system called capitalism that we as Americans participate in daily, every sociopolitical classification thus far imagined has been based on structure. Seemingly the only exception to this law would be the introduction of nihilism, which is defined as the rejection of all religious and moral principles, often in the belief that life is meaningless. The underlying thread among the systems with tangible design and those without is this: Purposeful lives crave and necessitate structure. By no means does this imply that capitalistic motives and excessive consumption are justified simply because they are somewhat structured and prosperous. The fact of the matter is that they work, just as the picturesque ideals of communism or socialism would bring us all closer to the purest form of a Christ-centered church if humankind were not fragmented and corrupt. Within our own faith, there is a deeply embedded thirst for structure because it works and it reminds us that we are undeniably fragile creatures. For this same reason, churches set up life groups, regimented Bible studies and even weekly service or volunteer projects. An average APU students structure consists of five classes, maintaining a job, balancing a friend group, making an effort to stay in touch with family, attending three chapels a week and, if theres extra time, visiting a church. Our community may need to reanalyze the pecking order of what we deem to be vital in our lives. It is not practical to wholeheartedly abandon our academics in hopes of becoming fully immersed in the fortification of relationships or focusing on community development (none of us have the audacity to be as radical as the man Himself), yet there is a marvelous power in developing a structural balance among our priorities. The fact of the matter remains that when you reach that stage and grab the diploma, lifes struggle is just beginning, warming up its one-two punch. We all pay shocking amounts of money to gain an education, but more than that, we take four years (or maybe five) out of our lives to discover who it is that we are and how the minute intricacies of the human clock work. So I implore you to create your very own structure, bobbing for the golden apples of human efficiency and compassion. Earnestly take the time to ask how another child of God is doing, regardless of whether or not your professor will put a meaningless T by your name on a grade sheet. Give yourself permission to fiercely love people, places, adventures, unconventional literature and raw expression because when it comes down to it, that piece of paper, those false constructs of evaluation in the form of capital letters and the numbers in your imaginary digital bank account dont own you. Unless you let them. Scott Jacob is the Clause opinion editor and a senior English major with a global studies minor. His passion for literature and the written word will one day lead him to write fiction novels, own a bookstore or be a vagabond writer.

Sometimes, one of the biggest things you can do for someone who has depression, anxiety, that litany of other disorders, is just be present, just be around.

THECLAUsE.ORG/OPINION

Clause

WEDNEsDAY, MARcH 5, 2014

Mission trip < new profile picture?

It isnt up to you to judge whether someone fell into the I went to Africa and all I came back with were these photos trap
Ashlee Polarek
staff writer

As attendees of a Christian university, the idea of mission trips is no foreign topic. Its been engraved into many students' brains since they were small children attending church with their parents. However, as social media continues to climb as an outlet of self-promotion, the thought that mission trips might be used merely as image enhancers becomes prominent. The list of reasons behind why people go on mission trips is extensive. At a place like APU, it could be for MAS credits, to "find yourself while helping others" or to serve God. Yet how come as soon as people come back, or get a stable Wi-Fi connection, their profile picture is changed to them with the group of individuals they are helping, whether that be children in Mexico, women in Africa or students in Peru? Thats where the question up for debate comes in. Are people going on mission trips

Emily Van Winkle COURTEsY

Profile pictures are supposed to be representations of oneself.

to get complimentary comments on their new profile pictures, as a short vacation or because they actually care about the people they serve? APU sends students to 28 countries over the year. With that number, you are bound to have one or two friends who have participated in one of these mission trips before. This mindset of "Im the only one who

goes on mission trips to help the people" runs rampant in todays society when a number of individuals believe that they are the only saints on a campus full of sinners. If people change their profile pictures to them and children they connected with in Africa, others may believe they are doing it to get the confidence-boosting compliments that will come. Some students do go on missions trips to experience India or to make it seem like they truly care about "that" city in Africa. Some students do spend hundreds of dollars for that

trip just so they can say theyve gone. This does take up valuable spots on mission trips when maybe a student's talents are needed in some other country with some other program. As always, there are two sides of every coin. "Posting a picture with a child in need is not only using that child as an object, but using a missional platform to portray yourself as 'holy' to those you may or may not know in the digital world," said junior English major Missy Fackler, who will serve in Peru this summer with an APU team. But sophomore business major Casey Adams, who will serve in South Korea this summer, said what really matters is "not what they made their profile photo, but what they did, where they went and what impact they made." This debate now comes down to a question. Why does anyone care if Jane Doe actually went to India to help women involved in sex trafficking or if John Doe only went to Mexico to make the ladies think hes great with orphans? In all reality, it doesnt matter. The trip only affects the student's life and the lives of those for which the trip is intended. It is not our place to critique why people go on mission trips. Profile pictures are supposed to be representations of oneself. If an individual feels that the best representation of themselves is a picture of the person in Ecuador building a house, then thats that. It's not up to you to judge. Ashlee Polarek is a journalism major, TESOL minor from Azusa, Calif. She is an aspiring travel writer, photo journalist and explorer of the world.

Sports
Sophomore first baseman helps lead the Cougars with turnaround season
Steven Mercado
sports editor

The Mel-chine brings power to the Cougars

JEssICA mELCHER
HEIGHT: 59 POsITION: FIRsT BasE HOmETOWN: cOLUMBUs, nEB. HIGH sCHOOL: La QUInTa NICkNAmE: JURRLIsca Oviedos description of her game: beast mode. 2014 stats: .295 average, 10 runs, 18 hits, four home runs, 19 RBIs, .492 slugging percentage 21 games into the season, she is one home run away from tying last seasons team leader (Rachel Miller, 5)

There are three words that Azusa Pacific sophomore first baseman Jessica Melcher used to describe what she aims to be: hard-working, teamoriented and competitive. These qualities have carried Melcher through her time thus far as a Cougar. Her freshman year was full of growth. She played 34 games and had a .260 average with 20 hits, four runs and four RBIs. After an offseason of adjustments, head coach Carrie Webber and second baseman Katrina Oviedo saw Melcher make big improvements and stretch further toward the potential she showed from last season. Last year was that transition year when we were kind of figuring out her swing and figuring out what was going to work for her and getting her into the best rhythm possible. This year, shes starting to see the fruits of her labor and hard work, Webber said. Shes really determined to be a good hitter and make the changes that were asking. That goes to show shes a very coachable kid and shes a hard worker. Shes determined to be the best player that she can, and thats what were starting to see in her sophomore year. Melchers growth is showing in the 21 games the Azusa Pacific softball team has played this season. She is batting .295, has 18 hits and is currently leading the team in home runs with four and RBIs with 19. The results are primarily due to Webber and the Cougar coaching staff working on her swing. According to Melcher, the biggest flaw in it was her step. Once I got my load forward and I got all my weight transferred, thats where the power came from, Melcher said. [Before,] everything would be on my back side and I would be popping up everywhere. It was very hard [to be patient]. According to Oviedo, Melcher is not only a different player, but a different teammate from last season in her personality and actions on the field. Last year, she was a freshman,

so she didnt really know her role and wasnt comfortable yet. This year, its completely different, Oviedo said. She knows what she needs to do, she knows how to communicate with others, shes not afraid to tell others what to do in a certain situation, so shes developed a lot. Melcher said she owes her progress and improvement to her teammates. My game has changed because Im a lot more comfortable right now, she said. I love the team that Im playing with. I feel the closeness of our team and I just have fun playing. According to Melcher, one of the biggest things that prevented her from growing last season was her negativity and criticism of her own game. Even if I did do something right, Id find something wrong in it, she said. This year, Ive learned to ... find positives in everything that I do. ... The ability to have confidence in myself is whats changed. This confidence has brought leadership on the field. Having this emerge unexpectedly has been great for the team, according to Webber and Oviedo. She brings a good work ethic to the girls and shes also learning how to step up and be more of a vocal leader, which is something she wasnt last year, Webber said. She actually has a very loud voice; we just didnt know it last year. Shes going to be one of those mainstays and someone who is going to anchor our lineup both offensively and defensively. All around, shes a great kid. Melcher was born and raised in Nebraska until she was 12 years old. She first started playing softball by playing fast-pitch softball for 10

Sophomore first baseman Jessica Melcher brings a new power swing to the Cougar lineup. and younger. She kept that interest but didnt get competitive until her sophomore and junior years of high school, when she began to participate on travel softball teams, which compete normally at higher levels. John Ortiz, Melchers travel ball coach, helped her to decide she wanted to stick with softball and continue improving. He made softball really fun. He would have high expectations for us, but at the same time, he would make it fun for us, Melcher said. We would mess around and talk crap to each other during practice and it would just be fun. He brought that comfortability and he was always there for us when we needed him. The transition from Nebraska to California was tough for Melcher, who said the culture and people in the two states are vastly different. However, she said softball helped ease her culture shock. Softball, for me, is where I met my best friends and thats who I am still friends with today. Those are teams I was on five or six years ago, Melcher said. There is no point in playing sports without close relationships with teammates, she said. If you dont have people that care about each other in every aspect, whether its in softball, whether its out, it doesnt matter, Melcher said. Its a game thats not just about the nine players out there, but its about the players on the bench as well. Everybody has got to be together to support each other. Otherwise, the team isnt there, regardless of talent level. She said she has experienced personal growth during her year and a half at Azusa Pacific. Ive grown a lot spiritually over these last couple of years in ways that I was able to help people, some family members who were going through

Steven Mercado PHOTO

a really tough time and maybe havent been as close to God as they want to be, Melcher said. Ive kind of helped them get through that. The sophomore said big role models for her spiritual path and journey at APU overall are Webber and the rest of the coaching staff. I have become a better person physically, mentally and most importantly, spiritually because of [them], Melcher said. I love to win, but the thing I love the most is being able to make my coaches proud. Coach loves us so much and it shows. She is always there when we need her. I just really hope she knows how much the team and I appreciate and love her and all she does for us. With 21 games played so far this season, Melcher looks to continue being a key contributor to the 15-6 Azusa Pacific softball team. Im just ready to kill the rest of the teams [this season], she said.

Cougar catch-up: Tennis has successful start to season

Steven Mercado
sports editor

With 10 of 22 regular season matches in the books, the Azusa Pacific womens tennis team currently holds an 8-2 record after losing two of its last four games against tough opponents.* The Cougars began their season with six straight wins, four of which were on the road. They suffered their first loss of the season against then-ranked No. 10 Fresno Pacific at Fresno on Monday, Feb. 17 with a 4-5 score. The Sunbirds now hold a 21-1 all-time record against the Cougars. The order of singles players for the women: No. 1, Emily Harris (5-4); No. 2, Natalie Johnson (8-1); No. 3, Danae Ingwaldson (3-5); No. 4, Lindsey Yeom (5-3); No. 5, Stephanie Quan (5-0); No. 6, Bethany Duval (4-2). The order of doubles teams for APU: No. 1, Harris/Ingwaldson (7-2); No. 2, Koetterheinrich/Yeom (4-3); No. 3, Quan/Johnson (5-1).

Nine days after the Cougars first loss, they scored an 8-1 home win against Westmont. The next day, they suffered a tough 2-7 loss against No. 2-ranked BYU-Hawaii as the first of four consecutive top-25 opponents in the upcoming week. The womens tennis team faced the Lewis (Ill.) Flyers on Monday, March 3 and emerged victorious with a 6-3 win to improve to an 8-2 record. Their next opponent is No. 3 Barry on Wednesday, March 5. The mens tennis team is nine games into their season, currently holding an 8-1 record. After winning six straight matches to start the season, the last three of those victories dominating 9-0 victories, the Cougars fell to thenranked No. 13 Fresno Pacific Sunbirds 6-3 on Feb. 17. The last time the Cougars lost a regular season match was also against the Sunbirds, April 12, 2012, with a 6-3 score. The order of singles players for the men: No. 1, NCAA-ranked No. 7 sophomore Jan Meyer

(8-0); No. 2, senior Freddy Wilkens (6-2); No. 3, freshman Alan Leahy (4-4); No. 4, junior Gary Yam (6-2); No. 5, freshman Pascal Engel (5-3); No. 6, sophomore Tomas Aranguiz (6-2). The order of doubles players for the men: No. 1, Engel/Meyer (4-4); No. 2, Aranguiz/ Wilkens (6-2); No. 3, Leahy/Yam (6-2). After the Cougars first loss to the Sunbirds, No. 11-ranked APU had a 10-day break before facing No. 19-ranked BYU-Hawaii. The Cougars did not let the break faze them and powered through to a 6-3 victory. On Monday, March 3, Azusa Pacific beat Lewis (Ill.) 7-2. The Cougars were spotted three points because the Flyers only had four players on their active roster. The mens next matchup is on Wednesday, March 5 against Barry. *The results in this story are current as of Monday, March 3. Check theclause.org/sports for updates on Azusa Pacific athletics, including Tuesdays results of the womens tennis match against No. 6-ranked Lynn.

Sophomore Tomas Aranguiz (6-3) plays No. 6 singles and No. 2 doubles for the Cougars.

Kimberly Smith PHOTO

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One final goal remains: NCCAA championship

After finishing season with two strong victories, Cougars head into playoffs with sights on NCCAA championship
Steven Mercado
sports editor

Following tough back-to-back home losses that knocked it out of the race for the Pacific West Conference title, the Azusa Pacific womens basketball team headed to northern California last week for its final two games of the regular season. Thursday, Feb. 27, the Cougars defeated PacWest champion Academy of Art by double-digits and Saturday, March 1, the team dealt the same favor to Holy Names. The Cougars won 82-66 over an Academy of Art team that clinched the PacWest championship after the Cougars previous game, a loss against Point Loma. Two monumental runs for Azusa Pacific gave them a commanding lead that never dwindled. The first was a 19-6 spurt toward the end of the first half that gave the Cougars a 37-29 lead. A 24-9 run in the second half solidified the victory. Leading the Cougars was junior guard Allison Greene with a spectacular performance. She scored a game-high 23 points, grabbed five rebounds, dished out five assists and snatched a game-high four steals. Five of her teammates scored double figures, including junior forward Sendy Valles with 15 points, nine rebounds and five assists and sophomore forward Kelly Hardeman with 11 points, eight boards and two blocks. The other two to reach double digits were sophomore guard Sullivan Ziegler with 10 points and four rebounds and junior guard Katie Powell with 11 points, hitting 3-of-4 of her three-point attempts. The Cougars held the Urban Knights to 32.4 percent shooting and out-rebounded them 47-40. They held Academy of Art sophomore guard Zoie Sheng to three-of-10 shooting, but she made 11 of her 13 free throws to lead her team in scoring with 17 points. The only

other Urban Knight to score in double figures was sophomore forward Krystal Forthan, who scored 16 points on 7-of-17 shooting along with a game-high 14 boards. Saturday night, Azusa Pacific closed the season on a high note, beating Holy Names on the latters senior night 72-58. To play them on their last game and their senior night, they were pretty emotional and pumped up. We talked about wanting to have the intensity were looking for to close out the regular season and be ready for playoffs, head coach T.J. Hardeman said. It was a tough game, but I thought we were able to dominate inside and get some easy buckets. The top performers for the final game of the regular season were Greene and Kelly Hardeman. Greene scored 17 points, four assists and once again, a game-high four steals while Hardeman scored 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for a double-double. The bench played a key factor in the win, scoring 21 points opposed to the Hawks five bench points. A mixture of well-balanced scoring and sharing the rock propelled the Cougars to victory in both of their final games of the regular season. It was a testament of us saying, Hey, our goal is to be playing for a while longer, so lets just sustain that hardened play, coach Hardeman said. On Thursday, we had 20 assists on [27 baskets] and [on Saturday], we had 17 assists off 27 baskets, so I was glad to see us finding each other, glad to see us making passes, getting good assists and setting each other up. It was good team basketball, and thats what we talked about doing all year. Its nice to see us doing the things we wanted to do at the end of the year. The Azusa Pacific womens basketball teams back-to-back wins to close the season earned the squad a first-round bye in the threeteam NCCAA West Region tournament. APU faced Point Loma on Tuesday, March 4. After falling to the Sea Lions on Saturday, Feb. 22, Hardeman said before the game that it would be different than their game earlier this year. Theyre a very good team, as we are. We played them last time and our focus was not where it needed to be, Hardeman said. I think were a lot more focused now as far as being aware of what were playing for and what our goals are. The goal at this point is to go back to the NCCAA [championship] and thats whats at stake here.

Junior guard Allison Greene led the Cougars with 40 points, seven rebounds, nine assists and eight steals in the final two games of the regular season, but the entire team stepped up in the two double-digit victories.

Steven Mercado PHOTO

Mens basketball closes regular season on high note

The Cougars win six straight games to close regular season and look to carry momentum into playoffs
Steven Mercado
sports editor

The Azusa Pacific mens basketball team won its final two games to cap a six-game winning streak to end the regular season. Thursday, Feb. 27, the Cougars led the Academy of Art all game in a 80-64 victory and on Saturday, March 1, the team produced its largest number of points in the season with 104 against Holy Names in their 35-point beat down. In Thursdays game against Academy of Art, senior forward Bert Hall was the top performer, shooting 9-for-11 from the field for a career-high 23 points and grabbing seven rebounds. Three more Cougars scored in double figures: Sophomore forward Sharif Watson scored 12 points and grabbed a team-high eight rebounds, junior guard Troy Leaf also scored 12, all coming from behind the arc, and sophomore forward Jared Zoller scored 10. The Cougars were outrebounded

Senior forward Bert Hall went strong on the inside in the Cougars final two games of the season, including a career-high 23 point-peformance on Thursday, Feb. 27 against the Academy of Art. 36-31 by Academy of Art, but held the advantage in second-chance points, 20-12. According to APU head coach Justin Leslie in an interview with sports information director Joe Reinsch, the Cougars had a lot of trouble hitting outside shots in the first half, but Hall kept the team in the game. Hall went 5-for-6 from the field for 13 points and grabbed four rebounds in the first period of play. The rest of the team shot 8-for23 from the field. After the win, Azusa Pacific improved to 15-9 overall with a 11-7 PacWest record. Academy of Art fell to a 6-20 overall record, 4-15 in the PacWest. Saturday, the Cougars played the best team ball they have played all year. All 10 active players got to play and eight of them scored in double-digits. Not only was this their best offensive performance of the year, but it was the most points they scored in a non-overtime game since 2011, and the 35-point win was their biggest win against a conference team since their 37-point victory against Point Loma (103-66) in

Steven Mercado PHOTO

2007. Leading the team was Leaf with 15 points and four assists, going 5-for-8 from the field. Junior guard Robert Sandoval scored 10 points, dished out a team-high five assists and snatched a game-high four steals. Hall scored 11 points and grabbed a game-high nine rebounds, carrying some of his dominant performance from Thursday into Saturdays game. Sophomore guard Miller Brown appeared in only eight of the previous 25 games, but played a season-high 19 minutes and went 4-for-6 from the field for a seasonhigh 10 points, including a halfcourt shot at the buzzer that put the Cougars up 42-27 at the half. The Cougars dominated in all areas of the game. They had the advantage in field-goal percentage, shooting 57.6 percent over Holy Names 38.3. The Cougars out-rebounded the Hawks 45-28 and forced them into 11 turnovers, resulting in 21 points. The Cougars only turned the ball over six times and allowed but three points off those turnovers. A winning streak to end the season is just what the Cougars needed as they headed into postseason play. Azusa Pacific hosted the National Christian College Athletic Association West Regional championship Tuesday, March 4 against Point Loma, who they beat in a thrilling double-overtime game on Saturday, Feb. 22.

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Cougar baseball will be at home for 16 more games before starting lengthy 21-game road trip
Taylor Schablaske
staff writer

Odd baseball schedule brings unique dilemma

think thats why I coach, to see our players put into adverse situations and watch them overcome it, Svagdis said. Thats probably the most exciting part of my job, is watching them do things like that. The home stand will include series facing Holy Names, Fresno Pacific, the Academy of Art and UC San Diego. APU will also face Biola and Cal State Dominguez Hills for one game apiece during the stretch. The 21-game road trip will include a weekend series at Point Loma, an exhibition matchup against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, a four-game series at Dixie State and a trip to the Hawaiian Islands to play four apiece against Hawaii Pacific and Hawaii Hilo. Following the trip to the Aloha State, the Cougars will then head south to face off against Cal State San Marcos and UC San Diego, with two games for each. Being away from home for so many consecutive games may not be an ideal situation but will not be looked at as a disadvantage for the Cougars. It just means we really need to be focused that were going to places that were most likely not comfortable in, someplace that is not a home field, so we have to make sure we are doing everything we can, focusing on the game and visualizing what we need to do, junior pitcher Zach Hedges said. Baseball is the same game no matter where you play it. Following the 21-game road trip, the Cougars will return home to end the regular season with one game against Cal Poly Pomona followed by a four-game series against California Baptist.

The Azusa Pacific baseball team is off to an up-and-down start to the 2014 season. After the first 10 games, the Cougars stand at 6-4, a record that includes six wins at home and four losses on the road. Going winless on the road and undefeated at home so far, the Cougars look as if they are extremely comfortable in Azusa and less so while traveling. The Pacific West Conference has faced scheduling conflicts while trying to accommodate travel plans for schools on spring break. Because of these conflicts, Cougar baseball will now head into its own March Madness, holding an unfamiliar schedule in its second season competing in the PacWest. From this point on, the Cougars will play 16 straight games on their home field followed by a staggering stretch of 21 consecutive contests on the road. The unusual scheduling is a challenge that head coach Paul Svagdis is ready for his team to take on. We want to get off to a good start being at home, and on the back half, playing on the road is going to be a good challenge. I like challenges. I

Senior outfielder Matt Kimmel and the Cougars baseball team look to continue enjoying their long home stretch before embarking on their 21-game road journey

Grant Walter PHOTO